Associate Alice Graham

March 2, 1933-November 24, 2022

All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to your name, O Most High.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Associate Alice Graham’s first encounter with the Sisters of Charity was as a student at Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She found the Sisters to be down-toearth, truly human and very gifted educators. Alice was a classmate of the late S. Zoe St. James; their friendship and admiration for each other continued throughout the years.

Alice and her husband, Dick, raised their six children near the Bedford, Ohio area. They were active in their parish communities, which both had schools staffed by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity. At St. Rita’s in Solon they took part in the Christ Renews His Parish program. Alice and Dick were the first leaders of the renewal weekends. They helped to establish the Social Concerns Commission and were influential in the Care and Share Christmas Program for the poor. Throughout their years together, the church and its efforts for others kept them connected.

Following Dick’s death in 2001, Alice knew she wanted something more in her life. She reconnected with S. Zoe and the Sisters living in Bedford, and would meet with them every Wednesday for liturgy and supper. She was attracted to the Sisters warm, welcoming spirit and appreciated their loving kindness toward others. Alice said being with the Sisters helped her to be a more prayerful person and a better listener.

These interactions led Alice to make her commitment as an Associate in Mission on June 18, 2005, promising to bring a willing and giving heart. She hoped to deepen her relationship with the Sisters and learn from them. “I don’t know what all God has in store for me in the months ahead. I just know that I am willing to follow Him and I know the Sisters will help me along the way,” she said at the time.

Alice’s special gift was service. She volunteered as a member of the Christ Child Society. She would sew layettes, make quilts and receiving blankets as well as volunteer as a clerk at the Christ Child Retail Store. Alice was also a lector and Eucharistic Minister for the homebound.

A devoted mother of six, grandmother of 14 and great-grandmother of one, Alice enjoyed spending time with family members. She would help her son with book work at his store, knit baby sets for her grandchildren and handicapped friends, and made countless sets of mittens for the needy.

Remembers S. Mary Ann Flannery, “Alice was just a sweetheart of a lady! I took her several times to Cincinnati and she was a joy to travel with. She delighted in the friendship with her classmate, S. Zoe St. James. She was the soul of kindness, a devoted mother and grandmother and a very happy Associate of the congregation.”